Contracts FAQ 10

What should cities or villages do if no one bids on a public construction project?

Given that the bid law does not specifically provide for any alternative process in a no-bid situation, if a city or village does not receive any bids on a project that must be bid, they are probably required to readvertise for bids. It is not an option for the city or village to negotiate a contract when state law requires the project to be let by competitive bidding.

When readvertising, it may be necessary to solicit bids in more newspapers and/or periodicals to reach more potential bidders. Also, before readvertising, municipal officials may want to consider revising the bid specifications because the lack of bids may be due to impractical or unusually difficult bid specifications. (rev. 6/21)